The clearing took place “without sufficient examination of the requirements” and the justification for environmental compatibility was “incomplete”. The OÖN had already reported exclusively on the raw report in the summer.
- The reactions to the Court of Auditors report: “Can’t understand the criticism”
The ex-industrialist Hans Asamer had acquired the area from Asfinag, the Federal Forests and a private entrepreneur, had it cut down and, after the reallocation, sold it on to the Belgian business relocation company VGP at a high profit in 2022. There had previously been negative comments from a forestry and environmental perspective. Nevertheless, the clearing was approved, among other things because 600 jobs were to be created there. However, there was no sign of use for a long time; warehouses that were to be built in the cleared area were now offered for rent on an Austrian used goods platform.
Asamer achieved additional revenue of 12.2 million euros
First of all, the Court of Auditors states that Asamer “achieved additional proceeds of 12.2 million euros” from its deal. Asfinag and especially the Bundesforste did not have sufficient contractual protection to benefit from it. Due to the lack of a repair clause, the Federal Forests, for example, “waived potential further sales proceeds,” according to the report.
The report of the Federal Audit Office for download:
The independent auditors also criticized the clearing itself. The requirements for their approval were missing. Basically, the responsible authority, the Gmunden district administration, waved the approval through because, according to the file that was available to the Court of Auditors, Asamer did not meet the legal requirements either when submitting the application or when it was approved. A public interest, a condition for clearing according to the Forestry Act, was only “partially justified” and “not sufficiently specified” by the entrepreneur.
- more on the subject: Clearing in Ohlsdorf: “We still don’t know which company should settle here”
- also read: Climate activists are examining a lawsuit over Ohlsdorf
- Long wait for the “lead location” in Ohlsdorf
The state of Upper Austria did not require an RRP
It is also criticized that the state of Upper Austria did not require an environmental impact assessment for the clearing. The Court of Auditors came to the conclusion that not all effects “on relevant protected assets” were taken into account, which is why the state government’s “decision was only partially justified”.
At the end of September, the planned business park was given the green light by both the municipality and the Federal Administrative Court. VGP Austria Manager Markus Gollob explained that a double-digit million amount would be invested. Production and storage areas as well as offices and a parking garage are to be built on 18,000 square meters and, according to the investor, 400 to 500 jobs will be created.
The Court of Auditors recommends issuing binding spatial planning programs for all regions in the future. Because one thing became clear at “Ehrenfeld II Viecht”: both the state and the municipalities lack a clear basis on how they should “prioritize and implement the different spatial planning goals at the regional level”.
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